Shigella cases up to 7 linked to Wichita area water park

State and county health officials in Kansas reported an additional confirmed case of Shigella linked to the Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, Kan., just west of Wichita.

This brings the total cases to seven.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) became aware of the first cases linked to the park on June 18. All three people tested positive for Shigella bacteria.

DNA fingerprinting was performed on Shigella bacteria from two cases who reside in different counties, using a standardized laboratory and data analysis method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS gives investigators detailed information about the bacteria causing illness. In this investigation, WGS showed that bacteria isolated from these two cases were closely related genetically. This means that they likely share a common source of infection. WGS testing could not be performed for the remaining five cases.

The Splash Park has remained closed since June 19.

Shigellosis is caused by a type of bacteria known as shigella that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in people, including diarrhea, fever and cramps. It can also lead to more severe illnesses such as sepsis and kidney injury.

Shigella is spread through food, through water, or person to person by swallowing fecal matter. Most people recover without treatment. Some strains are resistant to antibiotics.